Monsoon, Seasons and Local Weather Phenomena

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.The climate of India is generally described as:

   • A.tropical monsoon✓ Correct Answer
   • B.equatorial
   • C.Mediterranean
   • D.polar

   Explanation: India's climate is dominated by the seasonal reversal of winds, the monsoon.

2. Q2.The southwest monsoon normally reaches the coast of Kerala around:

   • A.1 April
   • B.1 June✓ Correct Answer
   • C.1 August
   • D.1 October

   Explanation: Kerala is the first State to receive the southwest monsoon, around the beginning of June.

3. Q3.Which place receives the highest average annual rainfall in the world?

   • A.Cherrapunji
   • B.Mumbai
   • C.Mawsynram✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Kolkata

   Explanation: Mawsynram in Meghalaya records the highest average rainfall; Cherrapunji is nearby.

4. Q4.The hot, dry wind blowing over the northern plains in the summer afternoon is called:

   • A.Mistral
   • B.Chinook
   • C.Foehn
   • D.Loo✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The Loo blows across north-western India and Pakistan during May and June.

5. Q5.Winter rainfall in north-western India, useful for the wheat crop, is brought mainly by:

   • A.the southwest monsoon
   • B.cyclones from the Arabian Sea
   • C.the Loo
   • D.western disturbances✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Western disturbances are temperate cyclones that originate over the Mediterranean region.

6. Q6.How many seasons are recognised by the India Meteorological Department?

   • A.Two
   • B.Three
   • C.Four✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Six

   Explanation: The four seasons are winter, summer, the southwest monsoon and the retreating monsoon.

7. Q7.Pre-monsoon showers in Kerala and Karnataka that help ripen mangoes are called:

   • A.mango showers✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Kalbaisakhi
   • C.Loo
   • D.Western disturbance

   Explanation: These showers in April-May are also useful for coffee.

8. Q8.The violent thunderstorms of the pre-monsoon season in West Bengal and Assam are called:

   • A.Loo
   • B.Kalbaisakhi (Nor'westers)✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Mango showers
   • D.Foehn

   Explanation: Kalbaisakhi brings sudden storms and rain in the afternoon during Baisakh.

9. Q9.The coast of Tamil Nadu gets most of its rainfall in winter from the:

   • A.southwest monsoon
   • B.western disturbances
   • C.northeast (retreating) monsoon✓ Correct Answer
   • D.mango showers

   Explanation: Winds returning from land pick up moisture over the Bay of Bengal and rain on the Tamil Nadu coast in October-December.

10. Q10.Western disturbances originate over the:

    • A.Mediterranean Sea✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Bay of Bengal
    • C.Arabian Sea
    • D.Pacific Ocean

    Explanation: They travel east with the subtropical westerly jet stream into north India.

11. Q11.The low-pressure belt where trade winds from both hemispheres converge is the:

    • A.Polar front
    • B.Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Subtropical high
    • D.Roaring forties

    Explanation: The shift of the ITCZ northwards in summer draws the southwest monsoon over India.

12. Q12.El Niño is generally associated with:

    • A.a stronger monsoon
    • B.heavier winter snowfall
    • C.weak monsoon and below-normal rainfall in India✓ Correct Answer
    • D.lower summer temperatures

    Explanation: Warming of the equatorial Pacific disturbs the monsoon circulation.

13. Q13.The Western Ghats receive heavy rainfall on their windward side because of:

    • A.cyclonic rainfall only
    • B.convectional rainfall only
    • C.orographic (relief) rainfall✓ Correct Answer
    • D.frontal rainfall only

    Explanation: Moist winds from the Arabian Sea are forced to rise over the Ghats, cool and rain.

14. Q14.The hot and humid period in October, between the monsoon and winter, is known as:

    • A.mango showers
    • B.Loo season
    • C.western disturbance
    • D.October heat✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: High temperature with high humidity during the retreating monsoon causes the "October heat".

15. Q15.A "break" in the monsoon refers to:

    • A.a dry spell of several days during the rainy season✓ Correct Answer
    • B.the end of the monsoon
    • C.a cyclone over the sea
    • D.a snowfall in the hills

    Explanation: Breaks occur when the monsoon trough shifts towards the Himalaya.

16. Q16.The sudden onset of the monsoon with heavy rain and thunder is called the:

    • A.burst of the monsoon✓ Correct Answer
    • B.break of the monsoon
    • C.retreat of the monsoon
    • D.revival of the monsoon

    Explanation: The "burst" brings a sharp rise in rainfall within a day or two.

17. Q17.A positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) generally favours:

    • A.a weak monsoon
    • B.a severe winter
    • C.a drop in sea temperature
    • D.a good monsoon in India✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: A warmer western Indian Ocean strengthens monsoon rainfall, offsetting El Niño at times.

18. Q18.The Somali Jet, a low-level wind that strengthens the monsoon, crosses the equator near:

    • A.the Bay of Bengal
    • B.the east coast of Africa✓ Correct Answer
    • C.the Pacific coast of Peru
    • D.the Tibetan Plateau

    Explanation: The jet carries moisture across the Arabian Sea towards the Indian west coast.

19. Q19.The Indian monsoon is divided into two branches. They are the:

    • A.Himalayan branch and Deccan branch
    • B.Arabian Sea branch and Bay of Bengal branch✓ Correct Answer
    • C.North branch and South branch only
    • D.Pacific branch and Atlantic branch

    Explanation: The two branches approach India from the west and the east and meet over the northern plains.

20. Q20.The southwest monsoon normally withdraws completely from the Indian subcontinent by around:

    • A.end of July
    • B.end of August
    • C.mid-December
    • D.mid-October✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The retreat starts from north-west India in September and finishes in the south by mid-October or later.